New Television PSA Campaign: Lincoln, Churchill, Gandhi Symbolize Hope and Courage in the Fight against Mental Illness

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 3, 2012 -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched a new television campaign of public service announcements (PSAs) using sculptured images of Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi as symbols of successful struggles against mental illness.

The "Monuments" campaign will educate television viewers and inspire individuals and families affected by mental illness. Lincoln, Churchill and Gandhi each confronted mental illness while achieving greatness as leaders at critical moments in history.

The campaign comes in time for Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct, 7-13, 2012.

"NAMI's PSA campaign may startle some people who have never imagined great leaders living with mental illness," said NAMI Executive Director Michael Fitzpatrick. "We want to build broader awareness about mental illness and the hope and courage of those who fight it."

In the 30-second version, as the camera rolls over images of the statutes of the three leaders, the voiceover reads:

They fought for social change.
They fought against tyrants.
They fought for human rights.
Yet behind these achievements are individuals who waged a more personal war.
They fought a struggle against mental illness.
And they won.

The 15-second version features Lincoln alone. The voiceover ends: "Even icons struggle. Only the great ones keep going."

The tag line for both PSAs is "You are not alone in this fight."

Sculptures featured in the PSAs are the Lincoln Memorial by Daniel Chester French in Washington, D.C.; Churchill in London's Parliament Square by Ivor Robert-Jones; and Gandhi in New York City's Union Square by Kantilal B. Patel.

Precis Dallas produced the PSA.

About NAMI

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope.